Chapter 20: Coming Dawn

[Darren]

Kal stops and hovers, looking towards the dinosaur. Illusion, you think? For what purpose? Either way, I think we are relatively safe here. I am going to return to the others.

Kal descends to the beach. "There is a large dinosaur coming towards the water," he says. "VERY large. But I don't think it will harm us. Unless it steps on us," he shrugs. "But, probably not."

[Jeff]

Melethos has never seen a thunderherder before, though he's heard stories. Gentle giants some have called them, but usually only by people who've never seen them frightened or attacked. Impossibly strong and heavy, eating vast amounts of plants but never meat. But though Melethos has no reason to be concerned about a calm one, he also knows that nature in Xen'drik can be fickle. He thinks the camouflage, even the silence, may simply be abilities woven into the animals' physiologies after centuries of living here.

Kal has seen thunderherders before, from a great distance in the Talenta Plains and even another time when flying above the Dragonfly days ago. Shorak has seen them much closer, but he's already fast asleep now.

[Brian]

I'm no spellcaster but that'd be one huge illusion, and perhaps too large to create.

With a final glance around, Melethos drifts to the ground, landing near the chest. Belarin is nearby, trying to keep his eyes open.

"Sleep," he tells the warlock. "I'll take over the watch."

[Jeff]

Are Kal and Melethos remaining on the ground, then?

[Brian]

I think fly only lasts ten minutes. We've probably been in the air for three or four minutes. Can't see much of a reason to stay up there as glidewing bait. Mel will hang out on the ground.

[Darren]

Feb 11, 2021 15:15:32 GMT -4 Brian said:

I think fly only lasts ten minutes. We've probably been in the air for three or four minutes. Can't see much of a reason to stay up there as glidewing bait. Mel will hang out on the ground.

Plus, once Kal falls asleep, Melethos will fall out of the sky.

"I must rest, Melethos," Kal says as he sinks to the ground. "I have nothing left. Wake me when it is my time to watch."

__________________
Ready to move on

[Jeff]

As Melethos stands there, he sees the thunderherder come into view even from the ground. Anyone else awake can glimpse its legs and some of its body through the trees. It doesn't make no noise, just very little; the rustling of the trees and bushes is louder than the stomp of its feet. For a creature that size, it must me magically dampened. But the beast never gets close to you, instead moving close enough to the edge to let its long neck down to drink from the water. It seems to consider the shipwreck there, but it doesn't stop drinking. When it's finished, the ovular reptilian head rises up just high enough to tear a few branches off a palm tree and start munching away.

By the time it finally turns around and marches ponderously back into the jungle and out of sight, nearly an hour has passed. It was in no hurry.

But this time, everyone except Melethos and Streko are alseep. Adamant is standing still, and both halfling and tiefling know their warforged friend is "awake," but he is quiet. And both of them are being lulled by the lapping water nearby.

[Brian]

Melethos stands watch, with Streko nearby. The beach is quiet, the water calm.

"It's good to see the sun again," he says. "Long Shadows is never a pleasant time." He pauses, as if in thought. "I wonder how Rinti is." He turns to face Streko. "You remember her, the half-elven girl Kal took a shine to? I wonder how she fares with Bereschel."

[Joe]

Streko smiles. "Of course I remember Rinti. As to our Deneith friend, truth be told, he takes a shine to all the young ladies we come across. At least it seems so. Including my sister." He harumphs but shakes his head. The memories remind him of happier times and the smile widens, despite the fatigue and general overall feel of being drained of energy. "I'm certain she is doing quite well in her studies. We will be quite proud of her upon our return. Of that, I have no doubt.

"As to Long Shadows, may they grow ever shorter. This is the worst I have experienced this time and I do not care to repeat it any time soon."

Streko moves close to Adamant and watches the Warforged's back.

"I am unsure as to how I would live my life without you around," he whispers. "All of you mean so much to me. I just cannot imagine how I could possibly live in sedentary luxury, knowing what I know. Seeing what I've seen."

His voice carries to Melethos, but barely, almost as if he is speaking to Adamant in some sort of confessional manner. "Will we all survive this adventure? Already, some of us have not. How will I proceed should one of you fall? It would be like losing a limb and expecting to continue forward, fighting for something we have not yet found against enemies thick as thieves in a Sharn back alley. Olladra grant me yet another favor and let such thoughts never come to fruition."

He clears his throat. "I must either be hungry or tired. Probably both. Tell me, Melethos, how do you think we can improve our tactics? How can I improve? Our last encounters were difficult. Yet, here we still stand."

[Brian]

“We are still alive,” Melethos replies. “Our tactics are... working. But yes, they could be better. How can you improve? Be more confident. Don’t ask what you should do. Think, plan, and act. You are one of the most powerful of our group. Never doubt that.”

Melethos continues his watch. After six hours pass, he wakes the others.

“Time to decide what to do,” he says. “Search for the ship or open the chest.”

[Jeff]

Before 6 hours has finished....

The morning advances, the sun goes higher, and those who've gone to sleep do so deeply. Sheer exhaustion has seized them.

The large turtles with rainbow-resplendent shells eventually turn and head back into the water, in their own time, and vanish. Birds appear and circle around, but not glidewings. And no dinosaurs come nosing about. Adamant sees no threats, though there is still movement amidst the plantlife, and sound, and a gentle breeze. He notices that unlike his other breathing companions, once Calirataia settles into true sleep, she does not stir at all. The others shift, unconsciously, to become more comfortable, turning this way and that from time to time. Not the dryad: she lies as still as a tree, on her side, and the only hint of movement is her breathing and her long dark hair stirring in the breeze after it's become dry.

Melethos also remains on guard with him, as does Streko and Belarin (for neither have indicated sleep), though they desperately crave it.

After four hours, Adamant feels as "rested" as he needs to be. The warfoged can see his tiefling friend stoically standing or walking about, but even he sees the tiefling's eyes shut and blink from time to time. Belarin keeps dozing off. Streko, too, looks ready to drop.

---

At this point, only Adamant has finished a long rest. Dave, now's the time for new spell preparation choices, if you want them.

Do Melethos, Streko, and Belarin wish to begin their long rest, or no?

Adamant has regained half his hit dice, half his hit points (per warforged), all his spell slots, and his Lay on Hands healing pool is restored.

[Brian]

Mel is good for the moment. He could use a short rest but can go without if time is an issue.

[Ken]

Belarin has taken a long rest. You had said he was asleep earlier, and - since I agreed with that - I didn't say anything to the contrary.

Feb 11, 2021 16:13:57 GMT -4 Jeff said:

But this time, everyone except Melethos and Streko are alseep.

[Jeff]

I know you said he was taking a long rest, but your following post had him still awake and declaring that he would be watching, so I wasn't sure.

But all right, Belarin is conked out. Melethos and Streko are still awake and have not begun a long rest yet, then.

[Dave W.]

Adamant feels a great deal better. He goes over and speaks quietly to Melethos and Streko, "You should sleep now. You both look like you have ridden the width of Khorvaire... no, you look like the horses that have been driven far. I am fully restored and functional. I will take the watch now."

"Sleep, I don't want to make that an order," He adds with humor.

---

that's a relief... I'll go through spell picks in a bit... busy day

[Darren]

Kal turns fitfully. There is perfume in the air, and Kal smiles. He draws in a long breath, letting it out in a deep contented sigh. He lies back on the soft satin pillows, luxuriating in the cool air that drifts across his bare skin. The warm glow of candlelight around him pushes against the darkness at the edges of the chamber. He can see the columns around him, but beyond that the inky blackness is complete. He hears a woman's giggle from somewhere. Not a giggle. A laugh. A delighted, cheerful sound. "Why are you so shy, my dear?" Kal says into the darkness.

"Soon enough, love," a velvet voice purrs back. "Be patient."

Kal reaches over for a golden wine goblet that rests to one side. He drinks, the grapes falling down his throat and warming him as much or more than the fire. He feels his head getting lighter.
A shadow flickers in the corner of his eye, a quick movement just outside of the light. "Is that you, beautiful?"

"Yes, love," she responds, but there is an odd sibilance to her voice.

"Come closer," he says, as he sits up.

Quickly, from the shadows, she emerges, and Kal tries to draw away from her but it is too late. "Greshnaza," he gasps, his voice barely coming to him as she slides up close and stares with her hideous face into his. Her lips curl back, revealing cruel fangs, the snakes on her head begin to caress Kal's face, and she laughs as she slides the dagger into his stomach...

Kal curls up into a ball in his sleep, his hands going to his stomach. "Greshnaza," he moans, then rolls the other way, still clutching at his stomach.

[Jeff]

Feb 12, 2021 12:27:55 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

When Adamant says this, they can't help glance at his torn composite plating. He sounds confident and clear-purposed, which is comforting, but he still looks like he's been freely scoured by a dozen angry kobolds with magical forks.

Remember, Dave, that Adamant's Cyran emblem has been completely ripped away. His holy symbol was badly scored by the gaunt's claws but is still in place in his chest. I am curious if Adamant has a reaction to the loss of his Cyran emblem, though.

[Joe]

Feb 12, 2021 11:59:16 GMT -4 Jeff said:

I know you said he was taking a long rest, but your following post had him still awake and declaring that he would be watching, so I wasn't sure.

But all right, Belarin is conked out. Melethos and Streko are still awake and have not begun a long rest yet, then.

Streko will begin his long rest as soon as Adamant is "awake."

[Dave B.]

Shorak rolls over on his side, his hands moving under his head. He mumbles for a moment. "What's for breakfast?" is all that is clear.

[Jeff]

Soon Streko goes under, and even starts snoring a little.

Melethos has more than completed a short rest by this point.

Before I progress to everyone else's finished long rest (assuming you're not stormed by dinos), I want to know what Adamant's doing since he's the first to "awaken" and be active again.

[Dave W.]

Adamant feels tugged in several directions.

Everyone is sleeping, and much needed, duty pulls him to standing guard. He thinks about moving Calirataia closer to the group, but there is clearly something about being near the tree that is helping her. He patrols a circuit and makes certain to include her in it.

On the second loop, he feels the other pull, and kneels down near the dryad and gently brushes her cheek and allows some healing energy soothe her sleep, “sleep well.”*

Continuing he touches his octogram in the now common habit. Nothing about his chest feels right. He has been trying to avoid noticing the obvious, I’ve lost my country again. he thinks and feels the pull to deal with the infinite sadness...Not now... Duty. He forces the need back into a corner. I would yell a the others for not dealing with emotions... He continues moving, action helping to hold off what he can’t deal with now.

And then the last and greatest pull... a summons almost... the one that has been tugging at him since the dawn. Really for days; but he knew by instinct that the deep night was not the time. “I know what You want of me,” he address the sun quietly, “And I want it too... very much. It has been in my heart for what seems like eternity as You surely know. But they all sleep... It will require my attention for some time.”

“I am your servant, tell me they will be safe and I will begin now.”

He waits for a sign of which Duty take precedence.

---

* Spend 15 lay on hands point to remove 3 levels of exhaustion on Calirataia

Is the time now?

[Brian]

Melethos, who is not sleeping but merely resting, hears Adamant’s soft pleading. He stands and approaches his friend.

“You are troubled, I see. The gaunt did more than damage your plating. It damaged your soul.” Melethos removes his artificer’s tools. “I might not be able to help with the latter, but I can aid you with the former. Let me do what I can while the others finish resting.”

If Adamant accepts, Melethos will start with any repairs to the warforged he can accomplish.

[Dave W.]

“Oh, my friend, I thought you were going to sleep.” Adamant replies, “I am not worried about my damage, well not much of it” he touches the chest plate where the mark of Cyre is missing, “I have lost my country again.” Saying it aloud makes it feel real. “I do not think it can be repaired, parts of it are missing.” It’s not clear if ‘it’ refers to the symbol or the nation. “I will gladly have you work on me when the others are awake, but I think this is lost.” He touches his chest again.

“But perhaps you are the answer to my prayer... I am called to do a thing... a thing that I believe will bring me some joy. Will you take the watch for me?” there is an energy about Adamant now, like the burst of speed as a race horse rushes to the finish line. “Just 10 minutes... maybe 15. I have not done this before but the shape of the ritual has been in my mind for days.”

[Brian]

Melethos smiles. “Of course I’ll take over. Do what you need to do. Just remember,” he adds, tapping on Adamant’s chest, “it’s what’s inside here that matters, not what was on the surface. You carry your country within you. It can never be truly lost.”

He then steps back and takes over the watch.

[Dave W.]

Adamant clears a space of sand, making it fairly level and clear of debris.

He finds a bit of wood and draws an eight-sided figure in the sand. Inside the shape he draws the straight lines of the Octogram. When the last stroke is made on the last of those lines, the octagon and the octogram start to glow faintly.

Adamant is performing a ritual*. Melethos has seen other of his friends casting rituals but this is Adamant's first. The energy is different.

The warforged starts drawing symbols along the sides of the shape. He seems almost possessed, eye gems glowing fiercely blue. He writes the names of the gods of the Sovereign Host in Celestial, though he doesn't know the language. These symbols have been in his mind for days.

One by one Adamant names Them and Their significance in this working:

"Arawai, the Life-giver and Aureon, the First Wizard.
Balinor, the patron of Beasts and Boldrei, Sovereign of the Hearth.
The Brother and Sister, Dol Dorn, the Soldier and Dol Arrah, the Just.
Kol Korran, the Traveler and Olladra, Sovereign of Fate."

The last he draws at the top of the shape, "Onatar, the Smith who aids in any act of Creation."

The lines glow more brightly now. Adamant steps to the bottom of the figure and draws one last shape to ground the ritual; the shape that sits on his forehead, his ghulra.

"And Adamant, Vassal of the Host, who asks this boon."


To complete the ritual, he chants:

"I ask the Host for the Fulfillment
Of Your plan, that Rider and Steed
Be united in Friendship and Service.

You have chosen us to be partners,
To support each other by Your will
And by no fiend be ever parted."

---

* Not a ritual in game mechanics terms but it takes 10 minutes to cast so I'm taking a bit of liberty.

With apologies for the rough graphics.

[Joe]

As Olladra's name is mentioned, Streko stirs and abruptly sits up.

"What's happening?" he asks, and then notices Adamant.

He stands and moves closer. He hears Adamant chanting once more and instinctively understands he is conducting a ritual of sorts.

And then realizes it is more a summoning.

His jaw drops slightly and he smiles. Inwardly, he begins clapping and cheering his friend on. Outwardly, he remains quiet and watches as events unfold.

[Jeff]

As Adamant performs his incantation, the clouds above gradually gather, and the sun is veiled; the sky becomes silver-grey, the
land is still bright, but the light of Dol Arrah is softened. He almost doesn’t notice, until—

A sudden shaft pierces the clouds and sprays upon the earth before the warforged. It's so bright for a moment that he lifts his hands to shield his eyes. Nearby, bearing witness, Melethos and Streko do the same.

When they lower their hands, and the shaft of light has dimmed, a creature is standing there. A horse, tall and strong. It has a coat of silver-grey that gleams in the late morning light, which again now peers through the clouds. A mane of long black stirs in the river breeze, but the edges flash like gold as if the sun shone behind it, out of sight. Neither warforged nor tiefling nor halfling have never seen the like before, though they all have seen mounts this size before. But not often.

Melethos recalls some steeds of the Carrion Tribes, bred with fiendish blood, that were this size. They were not numerous but they were memorable. He'd never ridden any of those, but had some basic training with some hardy breeds.

Streko has seen plenty of draft horses, but seldom steeds for battle. This one, too, looks like it could haul stone-laden wagons out of a quarry. He knows it can bear the weight even of Adamant without trouble. Streko suddenly feels a little bit smaller himself now, but only physically. Looking upon this animal, summoned with holy power, he feels like he may have gained a friend.

Adamant has seen chargers on the fields of battle before, mounted by Thrane knights and Cyran light cavalry. He even remembers squads from the Iron Tide, Cyre's units of exclusively made up of warforged (and the first nation to do so). Some of those warforged rode clockwork steeds, enchanted like golems, strong enough to bear the weight of warforged but less intelligent, even, than normal horses. 

Yet this one is quite living. It whinnies softly and does not move, but somehow Adamant knows it waits for his approach. It regards him with large dark eyes, and then Adamant notices that although this horse is not armored, it does bear a saddle already. The head bows, and . . . and in his heart, he realizes he knows this animal. This specific spirit. Some three ago, this was Father Charl’s friend and steed, though he looks different now. He was a destrier then, too, but chestnut colored, with the same dark mane and eyes, but he appears a bit larger now—sized for a warforged rider. His hooves are almost translucent, reminiscent of quartz. This silver-grey coat changes nothing: This is Lucatrent*. But all called him by the Common translation: Daystorm.

Adamant recalls Father Charl explaining to him how his old steed and friend was a spirit from Irian, the Eternal Dawn, the plane of positive energy. The old paladin had spoken of the plane fondly, a world with a beautiful blue sky and rivers of liquid glass flowing down from mountains of quartz, as if he'd been there himself and seen it firsthand. But Adamant knew he never had. He also remembers the old man telling him that Daystorm had a sister, but had not summoned her himself. Perhaps he'd known another paladin in his youth who had.

Even Melethos realizes, now that he's watched his friend summon this magnificent creature, that this is a paladin's magical steed. And that it is bound to Adamant as closely as Tangat is bound to Kal. Lorjad had conjured such mounts before, too, though seldom in Labyrinth. Like familiars, they inhabit the flesh of the world in which they manifest, but quite unlike familiars, they are large and strong and combat-ready.

---

Adamant gains inspiration!

*Pronounced LOOSE-a-trent.

As for coat and color, think of a silver buckskin. But as for size and strength, think charger!

[Brian]

Melethos stares in awe at the steed Adamant has summoned. He's seen mounts before, even a destrider, but... this. It pales beyond comparison.

Turning to Streko, he says, "Wait until Captain Brack sees this."

[Joe]

Streko stares in wonder. "Captain Brack's response will have nothing against Kal's, I wager!"

He takes a few tentative steps forward, but waits until he receives word from his brother before getting too close.

"Brother, your faith never ceases to amaze and inspire! Such a glorious spirit you have called to your aid!"

[Dave W.]

Adamant feels a bit drained, but moves forward,”Daystorm?” He reaches a hand forward and strokes the horse’s muzzle. “I saw you in visions but I thought it a metaphor, the gods saying ‘remember your mentor’s companion, you should call yours’. I never thought that you would be mine.”

He rests his faceplate to the muzzle, “For you are mine as I am yours, do you agree?”
I’ll assume there is agreement just to move things along

“Streko, Melethos, come. meet my horse. Lucatrent, this is Lord Streko Tavven, healer of Olladra. And Melethos, my Sword-brother. Gentlemen, this is Lucatrent the Daystorm.”